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The herpes zoster virus, most commonly known as shingles, is a result of the reappearance of the varicella-zoster virus that is originally acquired through a prior infection of chickenpox. While chickenpox is considered a childhood disease, shingles is most often associated with older people. People with weakened immune systems, or those with immunodeficiency diseases, are also considered at risk for developing shingles.
Symptoms:
Shingles usually starts out as a burning or sharp pain under the skin, which is followed by a rash several days later. The rash typically is located on the torso, although occasionally develops on the face, and is in a belt-like pattern, hence the term shingles,” derived from the Latin word “cingulum,” which means “belt.” The rash consists of small blisters that will break and start healing within a few days. Most cases of shingles only last a few weeks, then go away on their own.
Who is at risk?
While shingles can appear in anyone who has had chickenpox, people over the age of 50, those who have undergone chemotherapy, or those who have a condition that calls for prolonged use of immune-suppressing medications have the highest risk of developing herpes zoster.
People with immunodeficiency viruses such as HIV also have a higher risk of developing shingles. Those who have undergone radiation treatments or chemotherapy are also more at risk for developing herpes zoster.
The likelihood of contracting shingles increases drastically with advanced age, doubling once every decade past age 50. Studies show that approximately 30 percent of the cases of herpes zoster occur in patients over 55. It is rare for anyone under the age of 15 to develop herpes zoster, and the symptoms are usually not as severe if it does develop in children.
Studies have also shown that race may be a factor in susceptibility to the virus. Statistics show that Caucasians are more likely to develop shingles than other races.
Herpes zoster is only contagious to those who have never had chicken pox.
It is impossible to pass along shingles, but exposure to open shingles blisters can put a person at risk for contracting chickenpox, if they have not had it in the past.
How is Herpes Zoster treated?
The traditional treatment for herpes zoster typically includes some kind of antiviral medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir. These drugs are only effective if they are administered in the beginning stages of a shingles outbreak. Studies have shown that these kinds of medications don’t significantly benefit the patient unless they are received within the first 72 hours of a shingles rash outbreak. Corticosteroids are also sometimes used to reduce pain from herpes zoster. Most of these types of medications have a low risk of side effects.
Possible Complications:
Post-herpetic Neuralgia - The pain from shingles can sometimes last a long time after the rash has disappeared. This condition is known as post herpetic neuralgia and is most common in older patients. The pain associated with it is often severe, making it difficult to maintain a normal lifestyle.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome - This may occur if the herpes zoster virus spreads to the face. It can cause severe ear pain, and a rash may appear on or in the ear, mouth, neck and face. This syndrome may also result in temporary hearing loss, vertigo, and partial facial paralysis.
Eye infection - If herpes zoster spreads to the eyes, it can sometimes cause serious damage. It is important to consult a doctor and/or ophthalmologist to make sure the eye is not being adversely affected by the virus.
Myth #1: Shingles can cause insanity - Although an outbreak of shingles can be rather taxing on the nerves, so to speak, it will not cause a person to go insane.
Myth #2: If the rash develops on both sides of the body and then spreads out so that both sides meet in the middle, the person will die. - The rash that develops as the result of shingles will commonly form a “belt” around the torso. It doesn’t matter how or where the rash starts, or how it spreads out. The result will always be the same - a rash of blisters that will eventually go away on its own. The pattern of the rash, and the rash itself, do not indicate that a person will die.
Parting Thoughts:
While it is relatively simple to diagnose shingles, treating it is another matter. The traditional methods of treatments do not work for everyone, and the search for alternative treatments can often be very frustrating. Something that works for one person may not work for anyone else. It is important to keep this in mind when searching for a treatment, so that you can find one that will provide relief from your specific symptoms.
Source: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000415/2437.html